During my previous post I already wrote that I arrived in Jodhpur, how amazing the guesthouse was and that I went to see an Indian doctor. The medication did its work and after some days I was feeling good again, and ready to explore the town!

The fortress

Jodhpur has a nice bazaar around the clocktower. Here one can also find excellent lassis which are actually quite a bit different from the other lassies I had so far. A lassi is a drink that consists of yogurt mixed with water and spices. Normally one drinks a lassi but this one is quite a bit thicker, requiring the use of a spoon. It also had a strong lemon taste to it.

The fortress entrance

The main attraction of Jodhpur is the fortress. Located on a hill it is beautiful to see. The fortress also offers amazing views over the new and the old, blue city. In this case I think pictures say more than words :-)

Room

The blue city and a flock of pigeons that can always be found at the fort.

Two and a half weeks ago I arrived in Delhi. Since then I went to Agra, Jaipur, and Jodhpur, where I decided to stay some longer. Let's try and keep it chronological, and start with Agra.

I was in Agra for I think 5 nights, and the location I was staying, Saj Palace, was quite nice. There were plenty small restaurants and shops around, and the hotel had a nice view on the Taj. People came and went, but like me, there was a Canadian family staying a bit longer. They were actually on a world trip of a whopping 14 months! Anyhow, in Agra I finally was able to do some work on my thesis as well.

After Agra I went by train to Jaipur during which I had a nice conversation with a local. She was having a puppy along, and, as long as the other people in the coach wouldn't mind, according to the rules the dog should be allowed to stay. Well, I was the only other one, and I didn't mind at all, but somehow the conductor didn't agree and sent the dog to a special coach. So stupid...

Anyhow, Jaipur. I don't have much positive to say about my stay there. While the hotel had friendly personnel and the rooms were quite good, it was so damn noisy I couldn't get any sleep at all. And when you then get diarrhea as well...pfff. But before I got that I did get to see some of the town, but there wasn't anything special in my opinion, and therefore I wouldn't recommend anyone to go there.

Because of the diarrhea and fever I stayed a bit longer in Jaipur. Eventually I decided to go to Jodhpur even though I was still sick. The train ride from Jaipur to Jodhpur was I think the best moment I've had during my stay here. I booked a ticket for an AC3 coach, but wasn't able to find it as all the numbers were messed up when it arrived. I went instead in a normal sleeper class. The smell at first was horrible, but after a few minutes you're used to it. I put my stuff away,  lay down on a berth, in the sun shine, with the windows open the wind going through the coach. It was great! In the meanwhile, cracking some nuts and talking to some locals. Best moment so far :)

In Jodhpor I am now staying at a great hotel. The people that are working here are very friendly, the food is the best I had thus far, and it's quiet! Like me there are quite some others here who are traveling for more than four months through India. Some are going from north to south, while others went south first. It's interesting to hear where they've been, and what they thought of the places, as I also haven't decided where I will be going.

Two days ago I went to see a doctor and got some medication for the diarrhea and fever. I think I got it because I drank half a glass of tap water. Stupid. Things seem to be improving now, though the antibiotics are making me so tired, that I haven't been able to explore Jodhpur yet. As I will be staying for a least another 5 days in Jodhpur, that shouldn't be a problem though. After those five days I will take the train to Jaisalmer where I would like to go on a 2 or 3 day camel safari.

Many that know me are aware of the fact that I am spending this summer in Oslo, Norway. In May I was offered a position for the summer at the Noise & Vibration section at Det Norske Veritas in Høvik. Thus far I am quite content with the work. I've been traveling a lot across Norway for noise and vibration measurements (DNV Comfort Class) and I've started working on noise and vibration predictions.

Oslo seems to be a nice city as well. Especially the location where I live; everything is basically around the corner. Commuting time is acceptable and nature can be reached in about half an hour. Unfortunately I haven't really been able to see much of the nature outside Oslo due to the bad weather and a bad fever last week.

The coming week I am having off from work, and what way to spend it better than to go hiking! Monday I will take the bus/train to Liomseter from where I will hike for five days along the final part of Jotunheimstien. Last week I bought all the gear (ouch, Gore-Tex is expensive!!) I think I will need for this and future trips. What future trips, you might ask. Well, at least end of next month I intend to walk the Kungsleden in Sweden.

Anyhow, summer thus far has been quite nice with visiting The Netherlands again, as well as attending Hultsfredsfestivalen in Sweden. And with the forecast of the hiking trips it only seems to become better :-)

To end this post I have here a nice recording of the Norwegian band Katzenjammer, who were playing at Hultsfredsfestivalen as well, though this is a recording from elsewhere.

In 2009 I had an internship in DGMR and developed an acoustic measuring system, as I described a bit here. After my internship I continued working on this project. Now an article has appeared about it in 'Technisch Weekblad' and at their website.